Newly
appointed head coach Fran Dunphy will try to replace a legend in
John Chaney at
Temple. Dunphy has had plenty of success at Penn and he has
some players to make a run in the Atlantic 10. There are some
major issues, especially at the point. Chris Clark, who
averaged just 4.9 minutes in 18 appearances, is penciled in at
point guard and his inexperience is a cause for a concern.

Who’s Out:
Mardy Collins is the big loss. The 6-6 guard averaged 16.8
points, 4.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game as a
senior. Not bad numbers and he was rewarded by going in the
first round of the NBA draft. Meanwhile, Anywane Robinson, the
teams second leading scorer last season, and Nehemiah Ingram
leave a gap in the frontcourt.

Who’s In: The Owls
recruiting class was hampered by the coaching change. Yet they
did get what they needed in Luis Guzman. The 6-2 point guard is
a solid ballhandler and a great drive and dish guy. Normally he
wouldn’t be starting right away at a program like Temple, but
he’ll get a chance this year. Ryan Brooks, a 6-4 guard, is a
hardworker with a nice stroke. Under the new regime, he’ll get
the chance to contribute.

Who to Watch:
There
is some negativity running throughout Philly, since the Owls
haven’t made it to the NCAAs since 2001. There are three
starters returning this year and things won’t be as bad as many
expect. Mark Tyndale scored 10.9 points per game and tacked on
a team high 5.1 boards. Dustin Salisbery is a threat from
outside and, if he can find some more consistency, will be a
surprise player for Temple. Wayne Marshall is a beast under the
basket. He won’t put up big numbers, but he’ll do some of the
dirty work in the paint. Those three guys will need to use
their experience and hold the team together.

Final
Projection: Temple won’t
dominate anybody in the A-10, but a trip to the NIT isn’t out of
the realm of possibility. If postseason dreams come to
fruition, it will be because Clark or Guzman developed into a
serviceable point guard. Guard Dionte Christmas showed some
promise as a freshman, as did big man Sergio Olmos and both are
expected to play bigger roles as sophomores. Senior forward
Dion Dacons isn’t much of a scorer, but he can grab some
boards. After predominately coming off the bench, Dacons will
be counted on to start at the four. In the end, it will be
another year at Temple without a trip to the NCAAs.